Half an hour had passed, and Ian had eaten his fill, his mind preoccupied with strategies for selling just one of his items. As he pondered, a thought occurred to him: "The system didn't specify that the transaction had to be in cash... Could exchanging items be considered a form of selling? If I view the item being exchanged as the currency, then it's essentially the same, right?" Ian's eyes lit up with excitement as he murmured to himself, anticipating a potential solution.
As Ian stood up to leave, he coincidentally collided with Kurapika, who was also exiting the restaurant. Their eyes met, and Ian's gaze faltered, his face stiffening in surprise. Kurapika, taken aback by the sudden encounter, gazed down at Ian's upturned face, his golden hair gleaming in the light. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you," Kurapika apologized gently, his voice soft. Ian, still in a daze, shook his head, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "No, no, it's okay," he stammered, his beautiful voice tinged with panic. Forcing a polite smile, Ian hastily excused himself and hurried out of the restaurant.
Kurapika stood still for a moment, his mind replaying the brief encounter with the golden-haired young man. He couldn't shake off the image of Ian's embarrassed smile and striking features. As he continued out of the restaurant, Kurapika's thoughts lingered on the unexpected meeting, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic stranger. Who was this beautiful, golden-haired individual, and why did their chance encounter leave such a lasting impression?
Ian wandered through the streets, scanning the crowds for potential customers while clutching a bottle of wine he had discreetly pulled out of his inventory earlier since he thought that wine is more popular and easier to sell. Unbeknownst to him, Kurapika had mentally labeled him as a "living doll" due to his striking features. As Ian walked, the wine bottle became a makeshift prop, a symbol of his determination to complete his task and unlock the rewards that came with it.
As Ian was about to abandon his efforts and just look for the ship that will lead him to the Hunter exam site, an elderly man approached him, blocking his path.Ian halted, looking up at the man with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"Hm?" The old man's attention was drawn to the wine bottle, and he inquired gruffly, "You're not drinking that, are you? You're awfully young".Ian quickly shook his head, sensing an opportunity. He adopted a somber expression, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "N-no... This wine belonged to my late grandfather. I was trying to exchange it for some money to buy food. I've run out of funds," he explained, his voice growing softer as he embellished the story.
The man's expression softened as he listened to Ian's explanation, and he couldn't help but gaze at the young boy with a mix of pity and curiosity. Ian's eyes dropped slightly, but he secretly observed the man's reaction, sensing an opportunity. With a hint of hopelessness, Ian began to bid the man farewell.
"Mister, I'll excuse myself..." However, just as he turned to leave, the man called out, "Wait, kid!" The man's tone changed, and he asked, "How much for the wine? It's been ages since I've had a good drink. Name your price, and I'll pay." His words were laced with a desire to make amends for the misunderstanding and a dash of sympathy for the young boy's plight.
Ian's mind was racing with excitement, but he maintained a surprised and hopeful expression.
Looking up at the man with his crystal green eyes shining brightly, he responded, "I don't really know..." His voice trailed off, and he gazed up at the man with an innocent, childlike wonder. "It's up to you, mister!" Ian's soft voice was laced with excitement, his face lighting up with anticipation.
The man deliberated for a brief instant before parting with 1,000 Jenny for the wine. As the deal was sealed, he nodded at Ian and took his leave. Ian beamed with gratitude, waving goodbye as he thanked the man.
As soon as the man disappeared from view, Ian hastened to find a quiet spot, where he promptly accepted the rewards that appeared before him, confirming the successful transaction.
[Ding! Sell one item 1/1 completed]
[Rewards:
New items;
*Skateboard
*Notebook
*Iridium poison needles
Opening the aura nodes (yes)(no)
Book of basic nen practice (accept)(leave it for later)]
Ian's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the rewards, and he hastily sat down on the floor, not bothering to check its cleanliness. With a thrill of anticipation, he confirmed the prompt to open his aura nodes.
Suddenly, a surge of energy coursed through his body, leaving him feeling hot and tingling all over.As he felt his aura coursing through him, Ian closed his eyes and focused on meditation, trying to contain the flow and prevent any leaks. He recalled the techniques Gon and Killua used in the anime, attempting to mimic their calm, centered approach to harness their aura.
A moment later Ian was covered in sweat as he opened his eyes excitedly after finally successfully used ten.
Gently standing up, Ian felt the sweat clinging to his skin. He focused on coating his body with a layer of aura, his breathing steady as he worked to master the technique. Though he still grappled with consistency, Ian's patience and dedication drove him forward, his aura swirling around him like a gentle flame.
With a quiet sense of accomplishment, Ian stabilized his aura, feeling it envelop his entire body. "This feels...different," he thought, his mind adjusting to the new sensation. As he walked towards the hotel, Ian decided to book another room, his primary motivation being a warm bath to wash away the sweat and fatigue.
After a refreshing bath, Ian tied back his long, golden hair and began to get dressed. He rummaged through his inventory, searching for a suitable cloak. His eyes landed on a black cloak with elegant silver linings, and he quickly retrieved it. Alongside the cloak, he grabbed a shoulder bag stocked with essentials: food, water, and other daily necessities. With his gear in order, Ian felt ready to go.
After navigating through the bustling crowd, Ian followed the map's directional arrow to the port, his eyes scanning the docked ships for his designated vessel. Finally, he spotted it and made his way aboard, completing the boarding process with a swift payment.
As Ian walked, he scanned his surroundings, but none of the faces seemed familiar. Seeking solitude, he settled into a relatively quiet area with fewer people, taking a seat and observing his environment with a discerning eye.
"I've arrived earlier than the main group," Ian murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the entrance as he awaited the arrival of others.
His patience was rewarded when Kurapika strode in, making his way towards the ship. Ian's eyes followed Kurapika's movements, observing the noble's purposeful stride. Just as he was taking in Kurapika's determined expression, their eyes met, and Ian felt a jolt of surprise. Kurapika's gaze had locked onto him, and Ian's cheeks flushed slightly as he broke into a shy smile, offering a greeting.